LAURINBURG — Zamir White just finished his freshman year at Scotland High, and college scholarship offers are already mounting.
”I have double-digit offers,” the 6-foot-1, 205-pound sophomore tailback told Scout.com. “Wisconsin was the latest offer. I haven’t talked to any coaches from there yet, but their running game is very impressive, and I’d like to visit at some point.”
Along with the Badgers, White has received offers from Duke, East Carolina, Florida State, Georgia, N.C. State, North Carolina, Ohio State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wake Forest.
White plans to visit Georgia soon.
”I’m going to their camp,” he said. “I think it’s on June 27. I had a really good visit the first time I went, so I’m looking forward to getting back down there again.
”I really like the coaching staff, their running game and just the overall program. (Running backs) coach (Thomas) Brown is recruiting me and we stay in touch a lot and I really like him.”
White, who is affectionately called “Zeus” by his teammates and many in the community, burst onto the scene in Scotland’s opening game last season against South View. After the Scots built a 42-0 halftime lead against the Tigers, coach Richard Bailey subbed White in to give his young tailback some playing experience.
On the first carry of his high school career, White scampered for a 61-yard touchdown run, and from there slowly saw his reps increase as the season progressed. His first 100-yard game came in a 44-10 victory over Purnell Swett, where he rushed for 177 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries.
By midseason, Bailey’s gameplan called for White and senior Quadrin Williams to split carries. The strategy paid immediate dividends — Williams, who will continue his career at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, earned all-Southeastern Conference honors and finished with 1,293 yards and 15 touchdowns while White totaled 1,231 yards and 18 scores with a 7.9 yards-per-carry average.
White saved his best performances for Scotland’s biggest games, with his signature moment coming in the Scots’ 29-22 road victory over Pinecrest. His 46-yard touchdown run on a third-and-7 play with 1:20 remaining was the game-winning score that silenced the Patriots’ raucous crowd.
White also rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns against rival Richmond Senior in the regular-season finale, 184 yards and two touchdowns the first round of the playoffs against D.H. Coley and 129 yards and two touchdowns in the second round versus East Wake.
Besides Georgia, White said he hopes to visit Florida State and Ohio State.
”Both schools have won national championships and they’re just great programs. They also have great coaching staffs. On the visits, I’m looking forward to seeing the campus and meeting the coaches and players.”
Despite the attention he’s garnered nationally, White remains humble but confident as he anticipates the coming season. He has lofty expectations for himself and the team as the Scots prepare for the season opener against South View on Aug. 21.
”Our main goal is to win a state championship,” he said. “It’s going to take hard work and dedication. I’d also like to rush for 3,000 yards.”